Thursday 21 February 2013

Sturmey Archer XL FDD Dynamo and Drum Brake Hub Review

Sturmey Archer XL FDD Review - Introduction


I have a set of Thorn Mt Tura Forks, which do not have disk brake bosses. I wanted a low maintenance brake, a disk brake would have been good, but not an option, I also have a dynamo hub that I like very much, so the the XL FDD looked like the perfect option. This has proved correct: After 5 years if riding I have only had to lubricate it once. It is very reliable, and low maintenance.



The XL FDD has a 90mm drum brake and a 6 volts 3 watt dynamo. There is a smaller version available the X FDD with a 70mm drum brake.

Sturmey Archer XL FDD Review - First Impressions


The XL FDD is a chunky bit of kit, it weighs a fair amount. If you are a built to last kind of guy like me then this is good news, but if you are weight conscious I suggest you look elsewhere at 1.3 kilo grams it is the heaviest front hub you can get I would imagine. The hub is large too, it is around 10 cm (109mm) in diameter, and laced in to a 26" wheel this largeness is emphasized somewhat. This hub does 3 things, it is a hub, and brake and a dynamo, so when comparing it is weight with other hubs you should add on a brake, and dynamo for a fair comparison.



For example a shimano DH-3N20 weighs around 700 grams, and if you add on 350 grams for a disk brake such as an avid BB7 you are up to a kilo already.

Sturmey Archer XL FDD Review - Price


Price wise this hub is a competitive option, a shimano dynohub will cost you around £30, and a disk brake around £40, the XL FDD costs around £80. So we are in the same ball park. One would hope that the long life of the brake pads will realise cost savings over time.



Sturmey Archer XL FDD Review -What is in the box?


Hub, wheel nuts, fixing bracket with rubber padding, barrel adjuster, a bit that clamps on to the end of your brake cable, a rubber spacer, electrical connector. In short there is everything yo need to fit the hub short of the cable, you can use a standard brake cable there is a widget to clamp on to the cable to form an "end".




Sturmey Archer XL FDD Review - Performance


Dynohub - The dynohub adequate and lights up my LED lights frount and rear at very low speeds, I would not say that is a quiet as good as  shimano DH-3N20 but there is less flicker. It is a pity that the contacts between Shimano and Sturmey Archer are not standardised.

Brake - The brake seems very good, and is easily as good a v brake, only a lot smoother, it is very smooth in fact, and even when using the liner pull / v brake levers provide very good stopping power. The brake is not as powerful as the avid BB7 180mm I have on the rear wheel.

Sturmey Archer XL FDD Review - Conclusion


The XL FDD gives good stopping power, and a quality dynamo for fair price, and in my eyes represents good value. It is pretty heavy though. I look forward to seeing how long it will last before intervention.

Update 30/09/2014: I have now been riding  on this hub for 18 months, the dynamo is still working well and the hub brake has not been touched since fitting. I haven't even had to adjust the brake, which may indicate very low levels of wear. By contrast my rear brake (an avid BB7 is on its 3rd set of pads).

On very long steep descents the XL FFD does warm up a little, and is hot to the touch, however with such a large surface area, it soon cools down. The hill in question is 3/4 mile long and requires moderate breaking for the entire distance.

A very good zero maintenance brake after 18 months, although only probably about 2000 miles ridden in that time.

Update 20/05/2015: At around 3000 miles a little squeak has developed, and so for the first time I had to do a little maintenance. Read a post on servicing a Sturmey Archer drum brake.

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Sturmey Archer XL FDD
Reviewed by Kermit Green on Feb 21 2013
Rating: 4.5

Thursday 7 February 2013

Top 5 Long Tails (Long Tail Cargo Bikes)

Top 5 Long Tails (Long Tail Cargo Bikes) - Intro


I have been looking at the various long tail cargo bikes that are available out there, a long tail is just that a bike with a long tail, an extra bit of bike behind the rider on which to carrier stuff, or people around.

Handy with a welder? DIY Long Tail Cargo Bike.

Below is no particular order are the various offerings from around the web, with vague commentary and pricing from low to high.

Top 5 Long Tails - 1 - Kona Ute - £800


Coming from Kona, a bike company with a large output and long established track record, the kona ute is a great low cost long tail, it is also the only long tail in this list with 700c wheels, which may raise the centre of gravity a bit, but should make for a nice ride when carrying lighter loads.

The Ute has a alloy frame and disk brakes, and is very well kitted out for the price!



Where to buy Kona Ute

Top 5 Long Tails 2 - Yuba Mundo - £1000


The yuba mundo is pretty much the same as the  velonom transporter but is better equipped gearing wise with 21 speeds, which some may say is essential when hauling heavy stuff. Version 4 is also ready for disk brakes. Again we see 14 mm axles, and a one size fits all frame. Still very good value.

 The yuba is the choice for heavy haulers. You can also buy a frame and custom build.

Where to by Yuba Mundo

Long Tails 3 - Xtracycle Edgerunner - £1273 Approx ($2000)


Although not on sale  in the UK until late spring 2013, the xtracycle edge runner promises to be a very popular addition to the cargo bike scene.


This long tail cargo bike has a 20" wheel at the rear, which looks cool and lowers the center of gravity. It will also mean less clearance, and means you have to carry two spare inner tubes.

It uses xtracycle load carrying gear, which is very adaptable.

Where to buy Xtracycle Edge Runner USA

Great Edgerunner Write Up

Long Tails 4 - Surley Big Dummy - £2000


Also built for xtracycles cargo gear the big dummy is a lighter weight bike than the yuba mundo, which people say does not handle heavy loads as well.


It has disk brake mounts and 10mm axles so you are good to go with any standard mtb hubs if you choose to build one.

Long Tails 5 - Riese and Muller Transporter - £2500 (approx)


Top of the Pops. OK OK so this has electric assist, but it will be interesting to see what the price comes out as for one without eclectic assist, I think this price may be a little low, looking at the spec.

 

Other Long Tail Cargo Bikes to Consider


Madsen kg271


Made and Sold in the USA



LowCog 


from cargobike.co.uk

More info on UK made long tail cargo bike.

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